Tape-compasses.



PATENTBD DEG. 11, 1906.

E. L. SAXTON.

TAPE COMPASSBS.

APPLIOATIOH Hum 1111.112. 190e.

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wwneooszo Q1 Specification of Letters Patenti Patented Dec. 11, 1906.

Application filed July 12, 1.906. Serial No. 325,911.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDMOND L. SAXTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lansing, in the county of Ingham and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in T ape-Compasses, and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention is an improved tape-com pass for use in drawing circles and arcs havmg a greater radius than those that can he drawn with the ordinary compass.

The object ofthe invention is to provide a device of this characterwhich will be of simple and comparatively inexpensive construction,

easy of adjustment, and verv efi'ective for the purpose intended.

Y With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a sideview oi' the improved tape-com ass.

, Fig. 2 is a top plan view ofthe same.

lig. 3 is a detail view, showing the operation of the spring-leg and a en- -oint secured in the latter. Fig. 4 is a etailssectional view through the tape-clamp, and Fig. 5 isa detail sectional view throngh the adjustable point of the compass. 'f'

In the ractice of my invention I prefer ably emp oy a measuring-tape l, which is wound upon a. spring-actuated,self-winding drum within a casing 2 and controlled by a usb-button or knob 3. Pressure upon the mtton 3 causes the tape to befreeled or allow it to be unreeled.

Attached to the casing 2. which'v is circular in form, is a curved plate or frame4, formed at one end with a projecting arm5, to which is attached a bow-spring compass-leg 6. The latter has at its lower end an enlargement 7, in which is formed a socket S to receive the reduced upper end of a compasspencil-point '9, as shown in Fig. 1 or a compass penoint 10, as shown in Fig. 3, a set-screwll ho ding 'said reduced end in the socket. i The spring 6 is adjusted toward and from the arm 5 by means of a thumb-nut 12 upon a screwthreaded stud 13, which projects' from the outer end of the arm 5 and through an o enmg in the spring 6. The opposite end o the plate or frame 4 is formed with an extended portion 14, over which the tape 1 passes and upon which it' is clamped by means of a clamping plate or jaw 15. The latter is swiveled, as shown it 16, upon the lower end of a screw 16, which is mounted in a threaded opening in the t-op of a yoke 17, provided upon the extension 14, and through which thetape passes. A milled head 1S upon the top of the screw 16 permits the latter to be readily turned to adjust the clamping-plate 15 in the yoke 17. Upon the opposite sides of the extension 14 are also formed laterallyprojecting lugs 19, between which are journaled rollers :20, w hich serve to support the casing 2and its attached partswhen the compass is in use.

The free end of the tape 1 is attached, as shown at 21, to one end of a compass-point carrier 22. The latter is in the form of a plate, provided upon its top at its outer end with a U-shaped portion 23, between the arms of which is provided a lthumb-nut 24. he latter is thus swiveled and is adapted to operate an adjustabie needie-point25, which extends through alining openings in the parts 22 28, and has a screw-threaded portion 26, which is engaged by the threads of the adjusting-nut 24. It will be seen that by rotating the latter the needle will be adjusted longitudinally in the plate or carrier 22, so as to Vary the projection of its point beyond the bottom face of the plate 22. Graduations of any descri tion may be provided upon the tape or riblion 1, and they are preferably so arranged that the outer edge 27 ofthe clamping-plate 15 indicates the distance from the center or needle-point 25 to the penciloint 9 or pen-point 10 when the spring 6 is c osed against the arm 5. j y- In using the instrument the needle-pointis iirst adjusted by means of the thumb-nut 24,

and then inserted in the center of the required circle or arc. The casing 2 is thcn grasped, and one finger is pressed upon the button to release the mechanism which holds the winding drum or reel within the casing against rotation underthe action of its spring. The casing may then be moved along the tape in either direction, the spring automatically reeling the tape when the movement is toward the center point. The adjustment to the required radius is then made by moving the indicator and clamping-plate 15 to the division on the tape corresponding to this radius. The tape is then clamped by turn- IOO IIC

Hiv/Lima:

- compass.

ing the head 18 of the screw 16 so that the plate l5 clamps the tape between it and the extension 14. By adjusting the thumb-nut 122 upon the screw 13 a more accurate adjustment may be obtained between the center or needle point and the marking-pointJ of the The wheels or rollers 20 serve to support and hold the Casing 2 in an upright position when the compass is in use.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction iizay be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I clani as new, and vdesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A tape-compass having a easing provided on one side with a frame provided at. one end with guidingr and clamping means for the tape and at the opposite end with a device for the attachment of a marking instrument, substantially as described.

2. A tape-compass having a. circular eusing for the tape, a curved frame on the periphery of the casing having guiding and clamping means at one end and an arm at the opposite eind projecting radially lwith reference to the easing, and a marking instrument attached to the said arm, substantially as described. n

3. A tape-compass having a casing provided on one side with a frame providedat one end with guiding and clamping means for the tape, laterally-projecting lugs, near said end, rollers having their axes mounted 1n said lugs, and provided at the opposite end with means for the attachment oi' a marking instrument, substantially as described.

i testimony whereof I have hereunto set inu hand in presence vof two subscribing Witnesses. l l

EDMOND L. SAXTON. Witnesses:

GEO. H. SAXTON, MARY F. SAXToN. 

